Firkus impressing with hockey IQ, skillset ahead of 2022 NHL Draft
Forward prospect from Moose Jaw ranked 12th in WHL in scoring
Jagger Firkus of Moose Jaw of the Western Hockey League believes his shot and hockey IQ are areas of his game too good to pass up in the 2022 NHL Draft.
He's probably right.
"I worked on my release a lot in the summer and the offseason, and I think that's something I really wanted to focus on, so I did, and it's paid off," the right-shot forward said. "I think with IQ, it's honestly just watching hockey and getting a feel for the game. Even watching games on TV, you can learn so much. I did a lot of that when I was younger. I'd watch NHL games and be locked in, not want to talk to anyone. I just wanted to see how good the NHL players were.
"Patrick Kane (Chicago Blackhawks) was a guy I watched a lot."
Firkus (5-foot-10, 153 pounds) has indeed been locked in this season, ranking 12th in the Western Hockey League with 80 points (36 goals, 44 assists) in 66 games. He leads Moose Jaw with 12 power-play goals and seven game-winning goals.
"He's got a ton of skill and he's one of those guys who kind of plays a little bit different than other players," John Williams of NHL Central Scouting said. "He doesn't chase the puck, but he goes to where it's going to be."
Firkus has scored 42 points (16 goals, 27 assists) in 32 games (1.31 points per game) since Jan. 12, when NHL Central Scouting had him No. 33 on its
midterm ranking of North American skaters
eligible for the draft.
"Since Day One, his progression has gotten better and better," Peter Sullivan of NHL Central Scouting said. "He makes the offense go. He's got such a quick release with a deceptive shot, and yet it's hard. He's got three different levels of shooting the puck and I think that's what separates him.
"But the most important thing for me is his hockey sense; it's excellent. The more you watch him, you realize this guy is as good as anybody in the hockey sense department."
Firkus is glad to be considered one of the smartest, more skilled players available in the draft.
"I think that's where the game is kind of going," he said. "It's more skill than kind of just hitting and playing the physical side. But at the same time, in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, you need guys who get in the grill of others to try and get them off their game. Once in a while, if someone's not in my good books, I'll try to get in their head but maybe not all the time because you can overdo it too."
Firkus had a goal and an assist and was named player of the game for his team at the 2022 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Kitchener, Ontario, on March 23.
"That performance did a lot for me and the whole experience was unbelievable," Firkus said. "I just went out there and played my game, so it's good that I got to show some people what I'm like."
He compares his style to Mitchell Marner of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
"Just because he's a smaller guy and he just flies around the ice and is so creative in the offensive zone," Firkus said. "You can't just make one play on him because he has so many different skills and tools that he can pull out of nowhere and pull it off and it's super cool watching and seeing how good he is."
Sullivan said Firkus might be able to earn a spot in an NHL lineup within two seasons.
"It depends what team takes him, but look at forward Seth Jarvis with the Carolina Hurricanes," Sullivan said of the No. 13 pick in the 2020 NHL Draft. "Nobody thought he would be a top-six there or even be playing this year, but he stepped right in and is having a phenomenal season. I could see Firkus being that kind of player."
PROSPECTS ON THE RADAR (listed alphabetically):
Luca Del Bel Belluz, C, Mississauga (OHL): The left-shot center (6-0, 175), No. 11 on NHL Central Scouting's midterm ranking of North American skaters, is second on Mississauga with 74 points (30 goals, 44 assists) in 67 games. He also has scored 12 power-play goals and two shorthanded goals.
"He's such a highly skilled player," Joey Tenute of NHL Central Scouting said. "He's very intelligent, and his offensive instincts and creativity are as high-end as almost anyone in this draft. The way he can make plays at speed while attacking ... he's a threat in multiple ways."
Rieger Lorenz, LW, Okotoks (AJHL): Lorenz (6-2, 184) is No. 24 on Central Scouting's midterm ranking of North American skaters. The left-handed shot was fifth in the Alberta Junior Hockey League with 85 points (38 goals, 47 assists) in 60 regular-season games, led the league with five shorthanded goals and was 12th with nine power-play goals. The 18-year-old, who is committed to NCAA Division I men's hockey champion Denver in 2022-23, scored 11 points (two goals, nine assists) in 14 playoff games. Okotoks was eliminated by Brooks in the AJHL semifinal round.
"He can hit hard and has a great release," Sullivan said. "If he has one hole, and it may sound funny, but he shoots too much. He'll shoot it from everywhere, but what a nice luxury. He really is a complete package and he dominated the Alberta League. He's a power forward with skill; that's the best way to describe him."
Connor McGrath, C, Humboldt (SJHL): The left-handed shot (5-11, 154) led the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League with 84 points (35 goals, 49 assists) and was second with 1.50 points per game as a rookie in 56 regular-season games. McGrath (5-11, 154), No. 128 on Central Scouting's midterm ranking, scored 10 points (one goal, nine assists) in 11 playoff games. Humboldt lost to Flin Flon in the SJHL second round. He is committed to Ferris State University in 2023-24.
"He's smart and skilled and while he is in need of an upgrade in terms of weight and strength, he's on a good path in terms of development," Williams said.
Photos: Nick Pettigrew / Moose Jaw Warriors
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